Please contact your Senator today and ask that a critical bill expanding Nicky’s Law be brought to the Senate floor for a vote during informal sessions!
Since Nicky’s Law was passed in 2020, it led to the creation of a registry for caregivers who have abused or neglected people with autism and IDD in DDS-funded programs. However, MassHealth Day Habilitation programs are not covered by the existing law. This means they are not required to use the registry before hiring caretakers.
We must do more to extend the law’s effectiveness by including the disability community in MassHealth Day Habilitation programs.
It is critical that the legislature passes S119, “An Act to update Nicky’s Law to protect individuals with disabilities in MassHealth Day Habilitation programs,” in the coming months of informal sessions. By passing this expansion to cover MassHealth Day Habilitation programs, we will be closing a critical loophole that allows abusive caregivers to be employed in these programs.
Please contact your Senator today to ensure that we are protecting individuals in all types of programs.
